Minister declares Month of the Arts; announces funding for the Art Procurement Program

Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today officially declared April 2006 to be Month of the Arts.

"With our recently launched first provincial cultural plan and the 25^th anniversary of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, these are exciting times for our artists," said Minister Hedderson. "I can�t think of a better way to celebrate these accomplishments and to honour our artists than by a month long celebration."

To commemorate its 25^th year, The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council has produced 25 promotional spots featuring over 25 artists, which will run on CBC -TV over the next month. There will also be a print campaign in Transcontinental papers across the province.

The arts council has also planned a series of activities and events as part of the celebration (www.nlmonthofthearts.ca). The month will wrap up on May 6, with the presentation of the 2006 Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Awards (broadcast May 11 on CBC- TV).

During the announcement, Minister Hedderson also announced details of the enhanced Art Procurement Program. Under the new strategic cultural plan, government will invest $125,000 a year, for the next three years, in this exciting initiative. The program, established in 1982, promotes the works of the province�s visual artists by exhibiting original art works in public buildings.

"It not only offers visual artists of all levels a chance to showcase their work to a wide public but it increases the general awareness of the importance of arts and culture in our daily lives," said Minister Hedderson. "The art works enliven our public spaces."

Under Budget 2006, the government announced an investment of $17.6 million over the next three years to implement the province�s first cultural plan. Entitled Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture, the plan outlines major policies and directions to preserve, support and develop our province�s rich cultural resources (//www.gov.nl.ca/tcr/publications.htm).

Media contact: Susanne Hiller, Communications, (709) 729-0928, 728-7762

2006 04 04                          12:15 p.m.